Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from the movie King Arthur, nor do I or would I attempt to profit from writing about them. Also, I am broke and in debt, so if you want to sue me, good luck with that.

Rating: M for mature content in later chapters.

Tristan rode hard and fast, moving away from the rapidly advancing Saxon army, back to Arthur and the knights. In the distance he saw the column of refugees that accompanied them, and slowed his horse a little to let him cool down. Tristan thought bringing the peasants had slowed them down too much, that turning to fight would now be inevitable. He enjoyed a good fight, but this was one they stood a strong chance of losing. None of the knights were happy about the extra baggage, but they all accepted Arthur's decision. He'd always proven to be a capable leader, and had not led them astray thus far. Tristan did not worry overmuch - he was of the belief that when it was your time, death would find you. He did not welcome it, but neither did he fear it.

Coming upon the caravan, he slowed his horse to a walk. He observed the villagers as he rode past them. There were groups of women and children, families walking together, talking and sharing their burdens. One peasant walked alone - a young woman, delicate but heavily with child, who carried her belongings in a pack on her back. She caught Tristan's notice not merely because she was alone, but because of her apparent isolation. No one addressed her, or even looked in her direction. Her burdens were heavy, but there was no one to aid her. Sensing his gaze, she turned her head in the knight's direction. Upon seeing that she was indeed being observed she quickly looked away.

Tristan watched her for a moment longer, but with more important tasks awaiting him, he nudged his horse into a canter and made his way to the head of the column where Arthur awaited his report. The invaders had taken some time in sacking the Roman estate and surrounding village, but they were on the move again. Given the current pace of the Saxon army and that of their own party, he estimated that the Saxons would soon be upon them. Within a day maybe, two certainly. Earlier than that if the Saxons did not camp, as he suspected they wouldn't. He said as much to Arthur, who thanked him for his report.

When no further orders were forthcoming, Tristan fell back and turned his horse to the side of the road, where he dismounted. He stretched, which felt good after the many hours on horseback. He heaved a deep sigh and then turned his attention to his mount. He checked for chafing around the saddle and cracks in his hooves. As Tristan examined him, the horse swept his ears back in annoyance. He was an ill-tempered brute and it wasn't unheard of for him to try to step on Tristan's foot when he was in a mood. Despite his quirks, he was solid and trustworthy in battle, he never balked, and often knew his rider's next move almost before Tristan himself did. More than that, he seemed to thrive on the heat of battle. The knight often considered that he and his horse were well suited to each other.

Tristan dropped the horse's reins and left the side of the road for the privacy of a nearby patch of trees. He would have let fly where he stood, but for the line of peasants that shuffled past him. When the scout emerged from behind the trees, the people had moved on, except for one. The pregnant young woman stood next to the knight's horse, rubbing one of his ears; something Tristan wouldn't have believed if he hadn't seen it himself. The beast had lowered his head to allow her easier access, his eyes were closed in bliss and he was whickering contentedly. When the woman caught sight of Tristan her eyes widened slightly in fear before she cast them downwards. She stopped petting the horse and dropped her hands to her sides. The horse pushed at her with his nose and nibbled at her hair until she relented and started petting him again. She hoped the knight would not reprimand her for touching his horse.

"I'm sorry – I didn't mean to intrude. He was eating the leaves from that plant." With her hand she indicated a small bush not far from where Tristan had left him. "It's called Bracken. A small amount won't hurt him, if he keeps eating it, he could get quite ill with the staggers." Her hand slid down the curve of his neck, and she gave him a final pat on the side. "It isplentiful here, so have a care".

Tristan inclined his head in thanks and with a return nod, the girl turned away and resumed walking.

Tristan looked at his horse. "Why do you do that, huh?" The horse tossed his head and blew heavily out of his nostrils. "Always eating things that are bad for you. If you get sick, I'll put you down and get a better horse". The horse's ears flattened and only a quick move on Tristan's part avoided the swing of the horse's head meant to collide with his own. He smiled slightly. The horse kept him alert.

He mounted back up and the horse pricked his ears forward. He tossed his head, impatient to get moving. Tristan nudged him into a walk and found himself headed straight for the young woman. As they came up behind her, the horse nudged her with his nose. Tristan pulled him up short, and rebuked him sharply. The girl laughed softly and reached over to stroke the horse's muzzle.

"Careful," Tristan said, "he bites sometimes". He turned the horse so he would not be so close, but the cantankerous creature fought him for the bit.

In an amused voice the girl said to him, "He'll be fine, don't worry. I don't believe he would bite me. He seems perfectly lovely."

A snort of derision escaped the knight. "I've called him a lot of things, but that isn't one of them".

"Maybe that is the problem". She looked at the horse and spoke to him. "Is that it boy? Should he be nicer to you?" The horse tossed his head in seeming agreement, which amused the girl still more.

"Wretched beast", Tristan said, not unfondly."

"I think that wretched beast would probably die for you," the girl said. "He is very loyal to you, is he not?"

Tristan nodded his head. The horse had carried him to safety many times, sometimes when Tristan was too wounded to do much more than hang on. He was a knight's horse, a true Sarmatian horse and he trusted him with his life. As for loyalty, no one other than Tristan could ride him.

Suddenly the young woman exclaimed, "Ooh! How beautiful!"

He followed her gaze to a treetop where his hawk perched on a branch. He whistled, and she swooped down to his outstretched arm.

"She's yours?" The girl exclaimed delightedly. "How magnificent". She uttered a series of chattering noises at the bird, which bobbed its head up and down and replied in kind.

Tristan reached inside his jacket and withdrew a piece of dried meat. The bird eagerly took it from his hand and devoured it.

"Do you think she would let me feed her?"

"I don't know…you can try". He withdrew another piece of meat and handed it to the girl. Tristan leaned down so that the bird was within reach. The woman came closer and delicately offered the treat to the bird, which hesitated before snatching it out of her hand. Unable to help herself, the woman lightly stroked the bird's chest. Tristan's face softened at the look of delight and wonder on her face. The girl was beautiful. Her dark brown hair was just shy of black, and framed a sweet face that shone with kindness. Her eyes were a striking blue-green, surrounded by a deep black fringe of lashes. She had high cheekbones and her full lips were curved in a smile.

Suddenly she moved her fingers away from the bird, just before it squawked and took a snap at them with it's sharp beak. She chuckled softly. "Whist, bird – I mean you no harm."

"Good reflexes," Tristan noted.

"When you live amongst predators you learn to anticipate them," she said. 'Human…animal…they all bear watching."

Tristan looked at her curiously. The woman looked at him and began to speak further, but stopped short at his contemplative look. Her eyes locked with his and she caught her breath. A sudden fear swept over her and she broke eye contact, looking towards the retreating company.

"I fear I am falling behind," she said. "I must go. Thank you for that." With a nod of her head she indicated the bird, which was preening her feathers from her perch on Tristan's arm. With a shy smile, she turned and was on her way.

Tristan was puzzled by her sudden change in demeanor, but the pounding of hooves interrupted his musings.

"Tristan!" called out Lancelot. "Up front! Arthur wants us!"

Tristan pulled himself upright and kicked his horse into a trot. Lancelot wheeled around and after briefly regarding the girl, followed along behind.

As they reached the front of the column, Lancelot pulled up next to Tristan. "What was that about?" he asked.

Tristan looked at him quizzically.

"The girl you were gazing at."

Tristan shook his head. "Nothing."

"What was nothing?" asked Bors.

"Tristan was gaping at some peasant girl."

"I was letting her pet the hawk. And my horse."

The knights looked at each other. People didn't pet Tristan's bird. And they definitely stayed clear of his horse.

"She still has all her fingers then? How did she manage that?" Gawain asked.

'Good reflexes,' thought Tristan.

Bors chimed in with, "That's a mean horse you've got there, Tris. I've still got a dent in my thigh from that time he kicked me. He doesn't seem to know he's only supposed to bite the enemy, not us. If you ask me, he wasn't trained very well."

Lancelot mused, "I think he is justa stupid horse".

"You're both wrong. He just doesn't like the way you smell." Tristan reached down and patted the steed in question.

"But he liked this girl apparently." Lancelot stated. "It seemed as if you liked her well enough also."

"I was only talking."

Gawain laughed. "Tristan, the only time you talk to a woman is when you are haggling over the price." The rest of the men roared with laughter, which renewed itself when Tristan said, "I don't haggle."

Tristan didn't see what was so funny. The other men bought drinks for women, spent hours talking to them, to obtain what Tristan got for a mere crook of the finger and some coin. When he chose to seek the company of a woman it was for one thing only. Release. He didn't want to talk, didn't want any sort of entanglement. He'd go back to their rooms, do what he came to do and as he left he would drop a few coins on the table. He'd seen the other knights dodging women who were after marriage or at least a more long-term arrangement. His way left no doubt as to what the relationship was.

"Anyway - did you not see her belly? She looks about to give birth."

"What difference does that make?" bellowed Bors. "I love Vanora when she's with child. Can't keep her hands off me."

"Vanora is exceptionally beautiful when she is with child," Lancelot mused.

Bors pointed at Lancelot. "Mind you keep your eyes to yourself, boy. You've got legions of women - Vanora's mine!"

"But are you sure that all your children are?" Lancelot laughed and ducked as Bors pretended to throw a knife at him.

"Gentlemen!" Everyone fell silent as Arthur rode up. "We camp here tonight, in that tree line".

TBC